ACCIDENTS are battering away a historic bridge that forms a pinchpoint between Affpuddle and Warmwell, claim villagers who are calling for urgent safety measures.

Lynne Ronaldson, who lives next to Hurst Bridge, said the B3390 had got worse for accidents since she moved into Hurst Cottage 10 years ago.

The latest accident involved a car that ended up on the side of the bridge at an angle - the woman driver was helped out of a window to safety.

But Miss Ronaldson said minor accidents occurred every week and serious ones about three or four times a year.

She said: "It's because cars go too fast.

"It's too narrow there and vehicles can't really pass each other and when you get lorries going along it has to be single traffic only.

"The lorries are a problem for me because they make my old cottage shake but there are more cars now and they're too fast.

"This is a listed bridge but every time it's repaired there's a bit less of the heritage left."

She said that the first time she pulled out of her drive when she moved in, a fast car hit her vehicle.

She and her partner made another entrance 25 yards along to make a one-way access.

But their new dry-stone wall has been hit by passing traffic.

She added: "I have to run the gauntlet every time I pull out of my drive - and people give me such rude hand signals.

"I love my cottage and its beautiful surroundings but I don't like this road."

She added: "When we were first here I used to run out to help and offer cups of tea and help people inside but accidents happen so often that I just can't now.

"Minor accidents like broken off wing mirrors happen every week. There is always debris on that road."

She said she fears for road users including horseriders, cyclists and ramblers.

Miss Ronaldson said she wanted Dorset County Council to find a way of reducing speed on that stretch of road.

She said: "I don't think traffic lights are the answer if they are going to glare into my house all night and make the noise of drivers stopping and pulling away worse."

Steve Howard, Dorset County Council traffic team leader, said: "The accident record at Hurst Bridge on the B3390 does not justify the installation of traffic signals.

"However, we are aware that the bridge does get hit by vehicles on a regular basis and we are planning some imminent remedial works to address this problem.

"This will include improved signing, changes to road markings on the approach to the bridge and new bollards to emphasise the narrowness of the bridge to oncoming motorists."

Four parish councils - Affpuddle, Moreton, Crossways and Warmwell - are pressing the county council to make improvements at Hurst Bridge.